Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



thus some he pursues with his favours, and abandons others to their obduracy, according as he thinks fit.

nay, but, O man, who art thou, to raise a dust against heaven? shall the pitcher say to him that formed it, "why hast thou made me thus?"

if the divine Being has patiently bore with those objects of his displeasure, that had been working out their own destruction, why may he not reveal himself to make them feel his vindictive power,



We know too, that all things co-operate for the good of those who love God, who, pursuant to his purpose, has now called them: for whom he before approv'd, he predispos'd to follow the example of his son, who was to conduct them all as their elder brother; but whom he predispos'd, he calls: and whom he has call'd, he justifies: and whom he has justified, he glorifies.

nay, but, O man, who art thou, to raise a dust against heaven? shall the pitcher say to him that formed it, "why hast thou made me thus?" is not the potter the master of his own clay, of the same mass to make one vessel for use and ornament, and another for a meaner purpose? if the divine Being has patiently bore with those objects of his displeasure, that had been working out their own destruction, why may he not reveal himself to make them feel his vindictive power, read more.
and display his infinite goodness to such objects of mercy, as he had prepared for glory? to such as we, whom he has called, both from among the Jews, and from among the Gentiles. as he saith himself in Osee, "I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her, beloved, which was not beloved. and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people; there shall they be called, the children of the living God."

we preach Christ crucified, an obstacle to the Jews indeed, and to the Gentiles foolishness: but to those who believe, both Jews and Gentiles, he is the Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

for the slave that turns christian, is the Lord's freedman: likewise, the freeman that becomes a convert is Christ's servant. have you been redeemed from slavery? then, don't turn slaves. brethren, let every man conscientiously continue in the state he was in when he was converted.





nay, but, O man, who art thou, to raise a dust against heaven? shall the pitcher say to him that formed it, "why hast thou made me thus?" is not the potter the master of his own clay, of the same mass to make one vessel for use and ornament, and another for a meaner purpose? if the divine Being has patiently bore with those objects of his displeasure, that had been working out their own destruction, why may he not reveal himself to make them feel his vindictive power, read more.
and display his infinite goodness to such objects of mercy, as he had prepared for glory? to such as we, whom he has called, both from among the Jews, and from among the Gentiles. as he saith himself in Osee, "I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her, beloved, which was not beloved. and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people; there shall they be called, the children of the living God."

for considering, as I pass'd along, the deitys, which you adore, I met with an altar that had this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. now that GOD whom you worship without knowing him, is the same that I denounce to you. the GOD who made the world and every thing therein, and is the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples erected by men: he receives no service from their officiousness: he is self-sufficient: it is he that gives to all their life and breath and every thing they have. read more.
he he has deduced all mankind from one parent, to inhabit the surface of the whole earth, having pre-establish'd the appointed periods, and the boundarys of their dominions: by which they might enquire, and by due reflection investigate the supreme being, although he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, are moved, and do exist: even as some of your own poets have said, WE ARE EVEN HIS OFFSPRING. since then we are the offspring of God, we should not imagine that the Deity bears any resemblance to the form which Gold, or Silver, or Stone has receiv'd from human art and industry.

as many as are actuated by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. for the spirit you have received is not servile to keep you still in fear; but it is the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, that is, father. the same spirit testifies to our spirit, that we are the children of God. read more.
and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; although we now suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.

Are you not become associates with infidels? but what affinity is there between virtue and vice? and what communication has light with darkness? what concord can Christ maintain with Belial? what concern has a believer with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God has said, "I will dwell with, and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. read more.
wherefore come out from among them, be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

do every thing without murmuring and disputes: that you may be without reproach, the inoffensive spotless children of God in the midst of a depraved and perverse generation (among whom you should shine as stars in the world,

Consider what proof the father has given us of his love, in allowing us to be called the sons of God: therefore the world does not know us, because it knew him not. beloved, we are now the sons of God, tho' it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know, that when this change shall be, his immediate presence will give us a divine resemblance.


But you will object, why does he then find fault? for "who can resist his will?" nay, but, O man, who art thou, to raise a dust against heaven? shall the pitcher say to him that formed it, "why hast thou made me thus?"


nay, but, O man, who art thou, to raise a dust against heaven? shall the pitcher say to him that formed it, "why hast thou made me thus?" is not the potter the master of his own clay, of the same mass to make one vessel for use and ornament, and another for a meaner purpose?